A man has died after being hurt in a mock jousting match for Channel 4's archaeology series Time Team, the broadcaster confirmed yesterday.

The unnamed man, a professional fight re-enactor in his late 40s, was speared in the eye with a splinter of wood during filming at Rockingham Castle, Northamptonshire, last month.

He was wearing a helmet, but a splinter from his opponent's jousting pole entered through the eye-slit in what a spokeswoman said was a "tragic freak accident". He died a week later in hospital.

The jousting scene was filmed on September 13 for a special next year about Edward III's round table at Windsor Castle. A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "We have been shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic accident.

"The professional company of historical enactors has an excellent safety record and took all the appropriate and necessary precautions. It does sadly appear this was a tragic freak accident.

"We will continue to ensure that organisations we work with meet all appropriate safety requirements."

Time Team's presenter, ex-Blackadder star Tony Robinson, was not on set at the time, she added. The re-enactment will no longer feature in the episode, which will be broadcast next year with a dedication to the man at the end.

The spokeswoman said re-enactments were likely to remain part of the series, made for Channel 4 by the independent company Videotext Communications.

The man is not being named at the request of his family. His funeral was held several weeks ago.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating, and has the power to prosecute any breach of health and safety regulations. "During the course of an investigation, we visit the site of the accident, interview witnesses and look at the risk assessment prepared by the people in charge," said an HSE spokesman.